Chapter 42

"Where are you Irye?"Blake sighs as he walks the clearing. The sun is about setting which makes way for the soft breeze to be felt.

The trees and dried leaves rustle though the wind and the birds begin to fly to their various homes.

Blake is all alone and no matter how much he eats, he still feels empty. His shoulders and back ache and he is extremely tired.

After surveying the bit of land in the woods, he finds another clue. He's been following Irye most at times behind her.

So out of boredom, he might have chosen to memorize Irye's shoe tracks. Fortunately, Irye wore the same shoe he's memorized. How would he know If it is Irye's?. Her not so small feet explains it all.

Irye must have been here which is no surprise to him. Knowing Irye for a these months, her likability on nature is more than a percent if we are to calculate.

He climbs the cargo area of the pickup truck and removes the cover over the foods he bought.

Taking a bun and a drink, he sits on the car tail and bites through his food hungrily.

"So you are the only one who can pass through."Claude says.

Evie had told them about Irye being the only one who can pass through. Not believing, Claude gives it a try and get the same response as Evie.

He believes when Irye passes through and comes back.

"So far, yeah"Irye replies. "But I think son we will be able to leave here." Happiness draws on her face at the thought.

"The how about getting some food first?" Evie cuts in and they look at her. "No...just that we are so hungry with barely water and we might die at this rate. The baby has been feeding on the food Grams bought for him but in small quantity because we have to manage and..."

"Okay am going already."Irye turns and begins walking. "You are going to kill me with your thousand words." Irye mocks and passes through the boundary.

Claude chuckles together with Mae and Gerrard just smiles weakly. He has no better treatment and is just holding on, waiting for the time that will come when they will be freed of that place.

The baby cooes as he eats and Grams stares at him intently, smiling and playing with him.

Amber places the things on the kitchen counter and takes out his phone. It's been days and Blake hasn't called any of them neither does he picks their call.

It's always announced that he is unreachable anytime they call and that's getting them worried.

Crossing his fingers, Amber calls once more. It goes through as he waits for a response.

"Hello?"At last he gets to Blake. "Hey Amber, sorry for not calling lately. The signal is not that good around here. Sorry bros." he throws the rubbish in his hands away and gets down.

Amber just keeps quiet in the line and finally, he speaks.

"Is it you or your guilty conscience speaking. I didn't ask anything, you know?"

"Oh yeah, right"Blake says and chuckles. "So we good?" he asks, walking from his car.

"Hold it there. Don't try to divert anything here cos' all roads are blocked."Amber whispers and Blake laughs.

"But bros... Guess who came by."Amber says.

"Who?.. I can't guess man. Not everyone loves me alright or is it that.."Blake is interrupted.

"Chick? Babe? Or...Bit...."Amber teases, opening the fridge.

"Oh okay. No need to continue.. Who is it already?"Blake asks almost feeling the sneer Amber is making on the other line.

"Irye's Papa.." Amber stresses and takes a beer from the bridge.

"Irye's Pa..."He suddenly takes in a deep short breath. "Irye father came to look for me? Mr Richard came there?"He stops in his tracks.

"Okay, hold up. It seems youve met him already."Amber figures, opening the bottle with his teeth.

"Yeah but did meet him recently and... that not important now. What did you tell him?"Blake asks impatiently.

"Man... I told him once I got to know he is Irye's Old man. About you going to find Irye."Amber confesses, taking a gulp from the beer.

"Oh God... Am guessing he will be coming after me now ehh. I promised him not to come here."Blake says, continuing his unconscious steps.

"I guess I shouldn't have told him. Sorry, bros."Amber apologizes.

"Don't mind. I will take care of...."Blake hears a twig. "Let's talk later okay... Gotta check on something"

"Hey, wait... I've got to to tell you about...."Amber rushes to tell Blake but he hangs up on him. "Oh well he gonna know anyways."Amber shrugs and walk to the living room, drinking his beer.

Blake looks around and notices he's walked a bit far from his car. He hears another sound and somehow, a chill runs down his spine.

The forest there is lonesome and so far he is the only one there around that area as he knows.

He looks around for a stick or anything to use as protection.

Luckily, he finds a stick and picks it up together with a stone he finds nearby. Walking steadily, he tightens his grip around the stick.

He hears another sound, this time a bit louder and closer. The sound is clearer with every passing second. Something or someone is walking towards him and he has to be alert. It's a forest he is in. He doesn't know what or who else may be there with him.

He decides to hide and wait for it or them. Suddenly someone stands behind him and he stiffens.

Not sure of what is behind him, he turns slowly all getting ready to strike.

The person doesn't talk and places their hand on his shoulder. Without looking, he strikes with closed eyes and hears a thud.